Oral Health

Oral Hygiene

Regular dental hygiene visits are important in the prevention of dental disease. Of equal importance is the daily hygiene that we perform. Brushing and flossing are the critical to optimal oral health. At Domain Dental we can instruct you on the appropriate oral hygiene techniques suited to you and your teeth.

Diet

Healthy eating is vital for our overall wellbeing. A balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamins ensures good strong teeth and gums. Sugary foods that are consumed often and in great quantities can result in increase rates of tooth decay. Sugar is the main cause of dental decay when there are bacteria present. More significant than the amount of sugar you eat is the frequency of consumption, we therefore encourage our patients to limit their consumption of sweet foods such as lollies and soft drinks. In particular we should avoid snacking with these foods between meals.
Another food group that causes significant damage to tooth enamel are acidic foods. If in frequent contact with teeth, things like cola drinks, lemon, and grapefruit can cause serious irreversible damage (erosion) to your teeth.

Wisdom Teeth

The last teeth to erupt into the mouth are called the 3rd molars (otherwise known as “wisdom teeth”). These teeth are often problematic for a number of reasons. They often impacted i.e. they erupt in the wrong position or into the adjacent tooth, jeopardizing the health of that tooth. They are particularly prone to infections and tooth decay, since they are located so far back and are difficult to clean. For these reasons and more, it is often recommended that they be removed, both to treat current disease and prevent future problems from occurring.

Dry Mouth or Xerostomia

Saliva provides nourishment and protection to the teeth and oral membranes. There are many causes of dry mouth. Medications, autoimmune diseases and ageing to name a few. This can not only lead to discomfort in chewing and swallowing food and altered taste, but can dramatically increase the risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other oral infections. It is important that this complex problem be managed proactively in order to prevent more serious problems.

Bad Breath

There are many different sources of bad breath. Ranging from stomach problems to diets and teeth problems, most of the causes can be found in the mouth. The Tongue, Dry Mouth, Teeth cavities (especially when food particles get stuck in them), Gum disease, Extraction sites during healing, Dentures when not cleaned properly, Alcohol and tobacco.

We will be able to confirm or rule out the source of bad breath and commence appropriate treatment. If the source of the bad breath is your mouth, there is little chance that mouth washes or mints can treat the problem for any length of time. Following a good oral hygiene regime and receiving regular dental check ups are the best ways to prevent bad breath.

These are many, non-dental reasons that cause bad breath:

Ketosis from low blood sugar or diabetes
Some foods
Infection of air passages